Growler pilot draws graffiti in the sky

It was something one might expect to see in a middle-school bathroom but not writ large across the sky.

People in Okanogan were apparently surprised when a Navy aircraft drew a penis hovering in the heavens above the town Thursday, the Spokesman Review reported.

Officials at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island confirmed that the aircraft that drew the sky graffiti with its contrails is a Growler homebased on Whidbey.

Navy officials didn’t think it was funny, though one official who wished to remain anonymous said it was a difficult maneuver.

“The Navy holds its aircrew to the highest standards and we find this absolutely unacceptable, of zero training value and we are holding the crew accountable,” according to a statement from the base.

Commander Naval Air Forces also released a statement.

“The actions of this aircrew were wholly unacceptable and antithetical to Navy core values,” it says. “We have grounded the aircrew and are conducting a thorough investigation — and we will hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The Navy apologizes for this irresponsible and immature act, and anyone who was offended by this unacceptable action. An investigation into this flight will be conducted and if appropriate, the aviator(s) responsible will be held accountable.”

Growler crews and other aircraft train in the military operating area in Eastern Washington.

KREM 2, a CBS affiliate, reported that Federal Aviation Administration officials said there was nothing they could do unless the incident was a safety risk and that they “couldn’t police morality.”

Images of the inappropriate drawing in the wild blue yonder quickly spread through social media in Okanogan and far beyond. Many people thought the sky doodle was humorous while others worried about children looking up to the clouds.